Dog Grooming Hints

by Barboni

It is all so tempting when you see that bundle of fluff in the pet shop window, to take him home without thinking of the ongoing maintenance.

They soon grow out of their cotton candy coats and can turn into matted balls of mischief!

Many people don’t realise that a lot of long haired dogs – Poodles, Schihtzu, Bishons and Maltese etc require everyday grooming and a trip to the beauty parlour every 6 weeks just to keep them in a manageable condition. This has to be done from 6 weeks of age so they get used to the process of brushing and clipping and get used to being handled otherwise they can become aggressive and frightened.

Also long haired dogs may be more prone to fleas and it may be harder to find ticks in their coats. This all has to be taken into account when purchasing that cute little puppy with the big brown eyes.

The fancy show clips you see on the Poodles with all the pom poms on their legs heads and tails and the Maltese with silky white coats down to the ground, these are dogs that are bred for showing and breeding, they are used to spending hours a day on a grooming table being clipped and brushed and blow dried, in reality if you work 5 days a week, have children, have hobbies or in fact have any life at all, it is impossible to keep the average family pet like this.

It is far more practical to keep your dog clipped and comfortable so you only have to do a once a week brush through and a regular visit to the beauty parlour.

You can learn to clip your own dog, this will save an awful lot of money throughout the life of your dog, and you just need a few basic tools and a good pair of animal clippers to start out, and if maintained these should last you the life of your best friend.

A good quality shampoo is important in the care of your dog, I recommend only buying shampoo from a Veterinary Surgery or good quality Pet Shop. Washing any pet in human shampoo or soap can lead to skin irritations and problems, they have a completely different ph balance in their skin than we do, so fo a few cents more it can end up saving you a lot of money in the long term. http//www.doggroominglessons.net

In keeping with their self-assured temperament, Chows are a breed that truly likes to stay clean. While there are exceptions, most very much enjoy the dog grooming process. While clipping the coat of a Chow can actually be damaging to the two layers of its naturally dense coat, regular weekly dog grooming is what keeps the breed free from mats and tangles.

Regular dog grooming also builds a stronger bond an owner and their Chow, something that is quite necessary for this breeds temperament. Dogs love the feeling of good massage and the dog grooming process is a perfect time.

It is often recommended that grooming be done twice weekly with a good stiff bristled dogbrush and dog combs. Some find applying a coat dressing keeps static to a minimum and helps thoroughly condition the coat.

Because of their special thick coat, wet bathing should take place only when needed, or not more than once per month. In fact, applying a dry dog shampoo is the most recommended method of upkeep for this breed. When it is time to bathe your Chow, use only dog grooming supplies specifically formulated for your pooch, such as dog shampoo and conditioner; human products have a different Ph and will cause skin irritations.

The Chow is a breed that has at least two periods of heavy shedding. Spring and fall are two times of year that will offer the heaviest shed. Using a FURminator dog shampoo coupled with the FURminator dog brush will significantly reduce the hair left behind.

While it may seem their heavy coat would be uncomfortable for summer, shaving the breed is highly looked down upon as it not only takes away the dogs natural defenses, it can also lead to sunburned skin.

The recommended course of action is to be sure all dead hair is groomed out of the natural coat. With the Chow, it is always important to brush down to the skin. Otherwise, dirt, debris, and moisture can become trapped in the hair, which then kinks up causing bothersome skin problems.

Dog grooming should fun everyone involved and especially necessary for the Chow; not only for his or her thick coat but for their personality as well. Use the right dog grooming supplies and you will enjoy the beautiful thick coat of your Chow. As part of your dog grooming process be sure to brush your dogs teeth, they are just as susceptible to the same mouth diseases as humans.

More Dog Grooming Articles

No matter what breed of dog you have they all love that little bit of special attention. Grooming is a very important part of caring for your dog. Some breeds only need bathing and an occasional brush, while others need very detailed grooming.

With the advent of unemployment, dog washing has become a booming new type of business. Most of the dog groomers offer a mobile service, and will come to your home and clients find this service more convenient. Instead of having to carry a large, dog into a car by themselves, some groomers can clip the dogs’ claws at the same time if required. Anyone can bath his or her own dog, which is good, as many people cannot afford this added expense.

Blue Heelers, Kelpies, Labradors

Most short haired dogs need a bath and a brush. It is during this time that you can check more thoroughly on your dogs’ health. Because the skin is wet, it is easier to see if they have any fleas or skin irritations during this process. It is very hard to see fleas on dogs with thick fur normally. Also it is a great time if they enjoy a bath to check for any unusual lumps and problems with their teeth.

Cocker Spaniels& Red Setters

These and many similar long haired dogs need bathing and clipping. Cocker Spaniels are prone to Canker in their ears, you will know if they have it because of the smell. These dogs also need their fur carefully trimmed, especially the ears and their legs. Their fur is prone to collecting grass seeds and clover burs. Grass seeds will work their way up and sometimes even embed themselves under the dogs’ skin. If this happens, it may need a visit to the vet to have it surgically removed. Depending on how bad the infection is.

This is one of many reasons to keep their legs and ears trimmed short. The more often you tend to this the easier it is to keep under control. Do not wait until they have matted knots of fur under their legs and ears. Take very good care when clipping the ears not to cut their skin, as it is hard to see where the fur ends and the skin begins.

Poodles & Shuzitzu

Both these dogs need more clipping than most of the other types. The majority of Poodles clipped more to make a statement, or a prestige thing. Whereas the Shuzitzu dogs need it to keep cool in summer and their face needs continual clipping to prevent eye infections. Their fur is more like wool than fur and is very soft.

My son has two Shuzitzu dogs, and I shave them every two to three months in the summer and clip it short in the winter. I have made coats for them to wear in the winter, to keep them warm when clipped. Because I have two to do, I share the time spent with them. I do both their heads then do each of their backs and if my back holds out, I then do their legs. Otherwise, I leave the legs until the next day.

No matter which type of dog you have, they all love that bit of extra attention. Treat your dog with the respect he/she deserves; they are your friend and will show you more love and affection than some humans I have met.

Ready to take on the pet grooming for your pooch? Most dog grooming can be done by owners if they know what they are doing and have the correct supplies on hand.

You should always have everything you need at hand before you get ready to do any grooming. This will prevent you from having to stop the process and hunt down the clippers, shampoo or brush. Many dogs get a little nervous during any grooming process and when you are completely organized and ready to groom it will serve both of you well and eliminate some of the nervousness on the part of the dog and the owner.

A non-slip mat will help with the grooming process and the dog should be positioned at a height that makes it possible for the groomer to reach everything without having to bend over. Place your hand under her belly and the thumb of your other hand under her collar.

Begin pet grooming by cleaning your dog’s face. Look in her ears, eyes and at her teeth about once a week. Always praise your dog for sitting quietly and give her little pats of reassurance. You can use a cotton ball and water to clean around your dog’s eyes. Another cotton ball can be used to clean the inside flap of her ear. Do not reach too far into the ear itself. Use a clean cotton ball for each part of the grooming process.

The next step in pet grooming is the teeth. This is a part of dog grooming that can be uncomfortable for both of you at first. Once you go through the routine a few times you will both be at ease and the process will go smoothly. You can use a specially made toothbrush and a toothpaste or gel that is made for dogs. Diluted salt water is also effective. This should be done once a week and a vet should check your dog’s teeth at least once a year.

When it is time to bathe your dog you can use the tub or buy a bath tub designed for dogs. Purchase a good shampoo and be sure to rinse really well to avoid skin irritations. A non-slip mat will help your dog stay in place and after towel drying you may want to use a hair dryer set on a low speed to hasten the drying process. Some dogs become agitated with the noise of the hair dryer so this is a step you may decide to omit.

There are dogs who thoroughly enjoy being brushed and others who are totally against the idea. The best thing you can do is to begin this part of pet grooming as soon as you bring the puppy home. When approached in this manner your dog will get used to being brushed and will learn that it is just a part of his normal daily or weekly routine.

Dog grooming is not difficult and can be one more way to bond with your pet and form a healthy relationship.

Grooming is a very important part of owning a dog. All owners need to understand the importance of grooming their dogs, to keep them looking good and healthy.

No matter what breed of dog you have they all love that little bit of special attention. Grooming is a very important part of caring for your dog. Some breeds only need bathing and an occasional brush, while others need very detailed grooming.

With the advent of unemployment, dog washing has become a booming new type of business. Most of the dog groomers offer a mobile service, and will come to your home and clients find this service more convenient. Instead of having to carry a large, dog into a car by themselves, some groomers can clip the dogs’ claws at the same time if required. Anyone can bath his or her own dog, which is good, as many people cannot afford this added expense.

Blue Heelers, Kelpies, Labradors

Most short haired dogs need a bath and a brush. It is during this time that you can check more thoroughly on your dogs’ health. Because the skin is wet, it is easier to see if they have any fleas or skin irritations during this process. It is very hard to see fleas on dogs with thick fur normally. These dogs will still love having their fur brushed even though it is short they still love the attention.

Cocker Spaniels& Red Setters

These and many similar long haired dogs need bathing and clipping. Cocker Spaniels are prone to Canker in their ears, you will know if they have it because of the smell. These dogs also need their fur carefully trimmed, especially the ears and the feathers on their legs. Their fur is prone to collecting grass seeds and clover burs. Grass seeds will work their way up and sometimes even embed themselves under the dogs’ skin. If this happens, they have to visit the vet to have it surgically removed. Depending on how bad the infection is.

This is one of many reasons to keep their legs and ears trimmed short. The more often you tend to this the easier it is to keep under control. Do not wait until they have matted knots of fur under their legs and ears. Take very good care when clipping the ears not to cut their skin, as it is hard to see where the fur ends and the skin begins.

Poodles & Shuzitzu

Both these dogs need more clipping than most of the other types. The majority of Poodles are clipped more to make a statement, or a prestige thing. Whereas the Shuzitzu dogs need it to keep cool in summer and their face needs continual clipping to prevent eye infections. Their fur is more like wool than fur and is very soft.

My son has two Shuzitzu dogs, and I shave them every two to three months in the summer and clip it short in the winter. I have made coats for them to wear in the winter, to keep them warm when clipped.

All dogs need their due claws clipped from time to time.

No matter which type of dog you have, they will love that bit of extra attention. So keep them brushed and well groomed, they will love that extra attention from you.